A family of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that do not form endospores. Its organisms are distributed worldwide with some being saprophytes and others being plant and animal parasites. Many species are of considerable economic importance due to their pathogenic effects on agriculture and livestock.

Synonyms: Ewingella, txid41201, Coliform Bacilli, Sodalis, Enterobacteria, Paracolobactrum, txid83654, txid84565, txid543, Leclercia, Enterobacteriaceae